1. OPENING FORMALITIES

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

3. PRESENTATION OF THE COST FRAMEWORK

A number of documents were made available in support of the presentation. Among the topics presented were the role of the COST Telecommunications Secretariat, the role of TCT, rules and procedures for the M.C. (Management Committee) and the new procedures concerning budgets and "grants". Several documents were provided and have been registered as TD information documents (see Annex II).

Mr. Roy stressed the importance of feed back concerning the work, so that the COST Telecommunications Secretariat and the other Services may be in good position to support the Future of COST (and of this Action, in particular) and to ensure good (better) co-ordination between the various research activities in Europe.

He also recalled the importance of "moving into all-electronic" (and paperless) working methods (e.g., use of e-mail for circulation of (at least) information documents, to and from COST Telecom Secretariat and among MC members).

4. PRESENTATION OF THE ACTION 259

Topics relating to the Action COST 259 were addressed by Mr. Eraldo Damosso, Co-ordinator of the Action. This included a detailed review of the MoU and Budget/workplan envisaged for 1997.

The dates at which the first 12 Signatories had signed the MoU were also made available in the documentation provided to the Delegates.

5. FURTHER DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING COST AND ACTION 259

The above presentations gave rise to some questions and answers.

As a result, more information and explanations were provided on topics such as:

• the support provided and the timings corresponding to possible funding (a budget review is expected by the Commission in June 1997);
• the "mode of operation" of the "secretariat" of the Action.

The relations between the various tasks and the structure for the working groups as detailed in the Action MoU were discussed, in order to enhance, for example, any possible interactions between the various working groups.

As a result of the discussion, it can be noted:

• the need of having input documents at an early stage (in advance to the MC meetings), or at least the indication of the topics addressed;

• a suggestion to try and have work done within the working groups plus, for each meeting, a special topic (to be selected with the help of the WG Chairmen) of common interest for all participants.

• the decision to implement a structure with 3 working groups as described in the relevant documentation.

For clarity purposes, the following actions were approved:

Task 5 = "measurement uncertainties" (work within WGs 1 and 2)

Task 6 = "planning methods" (work within WGs 2 and 3)

(MoU to be kept unchanged; the MC is allowed, according to a suggestion from Mr. Roy, to interpret it in the way which seems more appropriate).

6. APPOINTMENT OF ACTION MC CHAIRPERSON

Mr. Eraldo Damosso (I) was appointed as Chairman of COST 259

7. APPOINTMENT OF OTHER OFFICIALS

Prof. S. Barton (UK) was appointed as Chairman of WG 1 (Radio Systems aspects)

Prof. E. Bonek (A) was appointed as Chairman of WG 2 (Propagation and Antennas)

Dr. Th. Kuerner (D) was appointed as Chairman of WG 3 (Network Aspects)

Mr. Damosso accepted with reservation to check this appointment at the beginning of the next year; the same holds for Prof. Bonek and Dr. Kuerner, after considering the impact their appointment may have on their current engagements.

8 RELATIONS TO BE ESTABLISHED

The importance of the links with other organisations was recalled several times during the discussions (see also proposals in the MoU). More particularly, in respect to other COST Actions, the discussions showed that a number of other COST Actions were addressing areas of interest also for COST 259. It was agreed therefore to try and establish contacts and find methods of co-operation (e.g., the setting up of common workshops, as it occurred in the past between COST 227 and 231).

During this discussions, two specific Actions were identified, for the time being, and the Chairman was invited to contact their Chairpersons:

- COST 252

- COST 260

9. OTHER DECISIONS

The MC also decided to try and have a "Web page" dedicated to COST 259, according the the Commission policy on this matter; the Chairman will investigate such a possibility. The MC also approved a tentative budget for 1997, to be submitted to the Commission for approval (a preliminary budget of 50,000 ECU was already made available by the Commission), according to the following estimated cost breakdown:

Secretariat support:                                                                                                      ECU 15,000

Publications (WEB page, participation to Conferences on behalf of the Action):     ECU 10,000

Meetings (Travel expenditures reimbursements):                                                     ECU 60,000

GRAND TOTAL:                                                                                                         ECU 85,000
 
 

10. NEWS RELATING TO THE ACTION COST 231

The meeting was also informed about the progress in the publication of the final report of COST 231; the book should be available not later than May 1997.

11. NEXT MEETINGS

The MC decided that the next meeting (meeting number 2) should be held on May 26-28. CSELT, Turin (Italy) kindly offered to host the meeting.

Meeting number 3 is planned for September 24-26, 1997. IST Lisbon (Portugal) kindly offered to host the meeting.

A workshop is planned for April 1998. The MC also agreed to have, tentatively, an "open" workshop at the beginning of each COST 259 calendar year (April-May); further details to be discussed during next meetings.
 

2. Background to the MoU (Action Co-ordinator)

3. The role of the COST Telecommunications Secretariat

4. The role of the TCT

5. Appointment of Action MC Chairperson

6. Rules and procedures for the Action Management Committee

7. Action Workplan for 1997

8. Action Budget for 1997

9. Close of Meeting